Is the Flowrider really that difficult?

[JimnKathy]

I was curious to know if any regular poster has much experience with the flowrider?

I'm a relatively coordinated, fit 62-year-old who may want to give it a go on my next cruise...should I or shouldn't I?  What say you? 

[smokeybandit]

Go for it. At worst you try a couple runs and say "not for me"

At best you find out it's fun and you stay there all day.

[JimnKathy]

2 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

Go for it. At worst you try a couple runs and say "not for me"

At best you find out it's fun and you stay there all day.

I'll probably go for it...I wind-surfed a few times in my 20s, but haven't been on a board of any kind since then. I'll have to post some photos (success or epic failure).  

[Lovetocruise2002]

I would say go for it.

They start you off easy first. If you are coming from no experience, you boogie board first. Each turn you have on the wave, they will give you little pointers and suggestions. If you feel comfortable, you can stand up. If you are good with that, you an then try to qualify for blue/white band (colour depends on ship) which will allow you to proceed directly to stand up. Even experienced people on the flowrider have to qualify for stand up each sailing. They don't just throw you in and hope for best.
 

I sound like I have so much experience lol, but I am just a flowrider widow haha

[LandstromCruise]

Definitely go for it. I’m not very good, but it’s fun and addictive. I’ve seen people your age put young guys to shame on it. One guy on my last cruise probably around your age could stand on 1 leg and do it. Me, not so much. But I did get the blue band which is what I was hoping for. 

[She Sails Away]

It's very fun, it's harder than it looks with just the right amount of challenge. The only reason not to try it out is if you have osteoporosis or are at risk for some serious injury with a heavy fall. Those falls can definitely be hard and you can get slammed into the wall, But nothing out of the ordinary. I often tell myself if an 11 year-old can do it, I can do it too.

[Lucky]

It's challenging but even if you suck at it like I do, it's great fun.

[Jkaczano]

I started stand up surfing on Flowrider about a year and a half ago after several cruises sitting bored watching my teens.  First, you need to sign a waiver (make sure you tell them you want to stand up) and you can only try to stand up during mixed wave or self assist.   You will then have to show the ability to boogie board.  That will give you a feel for the speed and strength of the water (it is fast and strong).   After “showing” your ability to boogie, you will be given only 2 tries to successfully load yourself and stay up.  If you fail, you will need to wait to try again (depending on the ship - 1 hour, next session, or next day).   
 

Given the limited opportunities to succeed, I would suggest either taking a lesson or at least talking to some of the advanced riders before you try.  They can give you tips on foot placement, weight distribution, etc.   

Should you do it?  Boogie board - absolutely!  Stand up - only if you have good balance and won’t get hurt if you took a hard fall onto a stiff trampoline.  It’s a lot of fun but not without risk.

[Matt]

Here's one experience trying it: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2023/01/31/learn-how-surf-cruise

[Jolly Ogre]

One thing to remember it is more like riding a skateboard than a surfboard. 

Like there is a difference between snow and water skiing.

[All4family]

For me it was keeping balance on the board was hard for the first ten seconds or so. Once you get the hang of it its super fun! Hope you have a great experience and have fun!

[JimnKathy]

Thanks for all the wonderful tips and advice everyone! I knew I could count on my Royal Caribbean Blog family to help a fellow cruiser out!  

[VACruiser]

17 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

I would say go for it.

They start you off easy first. If you are coming from no experience, you boogie board first. Each turn you have on the wave, they will give you little pointers and suggestions. If you feel comfortable, you can stand up. If you are good with that, you an then try to qualify for blue/white band (colour depends on ship) which will allow you to proceed directly to stand up. Even experienced people on the flowrider have to qualify for stand up each sailing. They don't just throw you in and hope for best.
 

I sound like I have so much experience lol, but I am just a flowrider widow haha

You're living vicariously through your husbands' triumphs on the flowrider. I love the term flowrider widow. 

[TexanTwoStep]

As a moderately-overweight 37 year old who trips over his own feet constantly....yes.  Yes it was very hard

 

Go for it!  It was fun even trying it

[LTR]

just tie those shorts up tight

[WAYNO]

I have snow skied, water skied, and skateboarded in my much earlier days.  Some folks have a much better propensity than others for such sports.  And the folks that have stuck with it can continue to do so, very successfully, into their mature years.  If you are a person that could easily perform these sports, then yes, go for it.  Just be aware, falling into the ocean or a river is far more forgiving on old joints and bones than falling on the relatively hard tarmac and periphery  on the Flow Rider.

[Va4fam]

We have never tried the flow rider or rock climbing wall for any of our cruises.

Asked my wife today if she would like to do a group lesson......and she said "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO".

Should I surprise her anyway?

[JustMeJoe]

20 minutes ago, Va4fam said:

Should I surprise her anyway?

He!!  NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[Babsy47]

Boogie boarding on the flowrider is not hard, and it is fun. Standup is a whole different ballgame.

[dougalsgirl]

I’m the most unfit and heaviest I’ve been in my life currently. Had a few shots of the flow rider on Anthem in May at the behest of my 12 year old who was sure I’d wipe out. 
Crew were great lovely and supportive. And the flow rider crowd were all really nice and very supportive too!
I really enjoyed it, so glad I tried it! Looking forward to doing it again in the future! Oh, and I didn’t wipe out!!

[Jolly Ogre]

17 hours ago, WAYNO said:

I have snow skied, water skied, and skateboarded in my much earlier days.  Some folks have a much better propensity than others for such sports.  And the folks that have stuck with it can continue to do so, very successfully, into their mature years.  If you are a person that could easily perform these sports, then yes, go for it.  Just be aware, falling into the ocean or a river is far more forgiving on old joints and bones than falling on the relatively hard tarmac and periphery  on the Flow Rider.

Yes it is a bit more unforgiving than the water but you are not going to hit any rocks, reef, jellyfish or turtles on the flowrider, and yes I have hit all of those in the ocean.

[Lovetocruise2002]

21 hours ago, VACruiser said:

You're living vicariously through your husbands' triumphs on the flowrider. I love the term flowrider widow. 

I can't take credit for it. @A&L_Ont over at the other place first introduced me to this term when Hubby got his first blue band.

[FOB]

If a woman - wear a one piece AND a t-shirt. 

If a gent - make sure those shorts are tied tight

Last thing anyone wants is to give the folks that are standing watching a view of the body parts only your nearest and dearest normally sees 

typed as a lady who many years ago flashed on Independence of the Seas even while wearing a one piece(oops)

[Starrynight0154]

I was excited to try it and hope I can do better next time. The issue was I wear contacts and they said nothing could be on your face like sunglasses. The force of the water removed my contacts, so I had to stop within 30 seconds.